Nikita Mazepin entered Formula 1 in 2021 after competing in and finishing fifth in the 2020 Formula 2 championship. However, he was never accepted as a merit driver by the fans since his father’s company became the title sponsor of Haas. And as things looked set for the 2022 season, everything came down for Mazepin and Haas.

In February 2022, during the pre-season testing, news of Russia’s invasion broke out. Haas sacked Mazepin and removed Uralkali almost immediately as its sponsor. Both parties continued on their paths. Haas worked out a way to fund itself, and the Mazepin competed and won the 2022 Silk Way Rally in the SSV class. 

However, Mazepin isn’t content with this win. In an interview with TASS and quoted by Sports Illustrated, he said, “I did that [the Silky Way Rally] out of pleasure and fortunately, the pleasure led to victory. But I don’t see myself as a professional rally driver. Silk Way is a wonderful competition, but for a non-rally driver to really prepare, you’d have to put everything else aside.”

Speaking about his possible return, he added, “Next year I will also compete for myself in a new discipline outside of our country, but so far there are no signatures. So I can’t tell you about it. There is the desire, of course, to continue to compete in motorsport. My goal is to return to Formula 1, so that is the direction I will work in.”

“He Can F**k Off”: Temperamental Guenther Steiner Once Almost Sacked Both Haas Drivers After X-Rated Outburst

What’s next for Mazepin in F1 is unknown. Despite Russian participation being permitted by the FIA, a seat is unlikely to open up, and even if it does, F1 won’t be keen on having a Russian driver until the invasion comes to an end.

Haas boss reviews his decision to fire Nikita Mazepin

Guenther Steiner and Haas announced the split from the Russian personnel immediately. The press release was put forward, and Haas had hidden the sponsor from its truck and car during the testing itself. While many thought Haas would collapse or face severe challenges, Steiner proved it otherwise.

Reflecting on his decision, Steiner, as quoted by Sports Illustrated, said, “We couldn’t take any other decision after the invasion of Ukraine. I think looking back, I think we did the right thing. But no, it didn’t have any impact [financially]. There was never looking back, just let’s get the best out of it. We’ve got an opportunity. It was a challenge. But the challenge gave us an opportunity.”

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Looking back, the fans can also say things worked out well, given Haas’ 8th-place finish in the constructors. Other than the 37-point finish, up from 0 in 2021, the team also bagged a pole in Brazil in 2022. As a growing team, with two senior drivers, it’ll be exciting to see how the team competes this year.